CANTON – Approximately 70 voters on Saturday authorized the town to borrow $1 million in an interest-free note to cover earlier loans taken out to purchase new town village lots and related development costs.

Interest on the earlier loans kicks in as soon as the first house in the development is sold, with a two-year payback.

Special Projects Coordinator Diane Ray said that selectmen had agreed to work with the Greater Brunswick Housing Authority for the development plans for the village. Drawings illustrating the development were displayed around the room.

Sue Gammon asked what happens if there are no sales after two years. Ray said the land would be used as collateral. She said that Maine State Housing Authority understood the risk.

The crowd applauded Ray for getting the interest-free money. She said, “Hopefully we will see groundbreaking this summer for sewer and water.”

Discussion also arose over the disposal of the old Canton Elementary School.

Jim Dyment, emergency management director, said, “We need to take a close look at this article,” which asked the town to accept Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to pay for removal of asbestos and the school demolition.

Dyment and Mike Maxwell both said they would like to see the building used as a fire-training facility. They noted several towns could use it.

Fire Chief Wayne Dube favored having the school for training use until he found out how much it would cost to have the asbestos removed. He said the town should take the grant money for demolition.

The article passed to accept the FEMA money for demolition.

An article to take money from reserves to buy a plow truck was amended to say to purchase a new plow truck and borrow up to $100,000 to pay for it rather than use reserve funds. The amendment was offered by Selectmen’s Chairman Jackie Conant on advice from the town auditor.

Voters OK’d naming the skating rink the Shirley Rose rink in honor of the man who had been instrumental in making the rink a reality. It was noted that Ted McDonald had actually secured the land and got the ball rolling. Most felt that the town should be aware of McDonald’s roll in the rink.

Saturday marked the end of Craig Gammon’s term as road commissioner. The town voted last year to hire a road foreman with selectmen acting as road commissioners. Voters gave Gammon a round of applause in appreciation for 14 years of service. Until a foreman is appointed, Gammon said he would continue to work for the town.

The only article voted down was to close a portion of Meadow View Road for winter maintenance. Norman Meader, who lives on Meadow View, asked the town to maintain the road as far as his house. The town voted not to close the road after hearing Meader’s comments

It was discovered at 5 a.m. that the municipal building had a broken pipe and was flooded. Several people, including Selectman Rick Ray, worked to get rid of the water before the 9 a.m. meeting.

In municipal balloting on Friday, Selectman Donald Hutchins lost his bid for reelection to Brian Jordan. Lisa Cummings was reelected.

Donald Adams and Richard McCollister were elected to the Planning Board for three years, and Carl Leuders and Benjamin McCollister were elected to the SAD 21 board. David Strout was reelected to the Budget Committee.

Mary Standard photo

Special Projects Coordinator Diane Ray speaks at the Canton annual town meeting about a $1 million loan for the new Town Village.

Mary Standard photo

Drawings depicting the proposed Canton Town Village were displayed around the Municipal Building at Saturday’s annual town meeting.